Dirigible headlight



K. A. KENDRICK.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT.

. APPLICATION FILED JAN.28, 1920. 1,387,273. Patented 1921.

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..K. A. KENDRICK.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1920.

1,387,273, Patnt edAug. 9,1921.

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Kmydv'vo egg K. A. KENDRICK.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1920.

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Patented Aug. 9,

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K. A. KENDRICK.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.28, 1920.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

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PATENT OFFICE.

KARL A. KENDBIOK, OI DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

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' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

Application filed January 88, 1820., Serial No. 354,580.

To all whom; it may concern."

-Be it known that I, KARL A. ImNnnrcK, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne an State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Dirigi 1e Headlight, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lights for vehicles and motor boats, and its object is to provide mountings and operating mechanism for lamps of this character which may be locked to hold the lamps 1n any desired position, which are operable to move the lamps to any desired position, which may be adjusted so as to bring the lamps into any desired position relative to each other, which shall be strong, which may be easily installed, and which can be produced at low cost.

This invention consists in an operating mechanism for one or more lamps mounted on vehicles, motor boats or wherever else they may be needed, each lamp being adapted to turn on a horizontal and a vertical axis, and operating mechanism therefor comprising a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith and through which the rod is slidable, a continuous flexible connector wound around the drum and around a sheave or drum on the vertical axis of each lamp whereby the lamp may be rotated on its vertical axis through unlimited arcs, and means con ecting the slidable rod to the lamp where y the lam may be tilted on its horizontal axis when t e rod is moved longitudinally.

, This invention further consists in combination with the operating mechanism for lamps as above set forth, of a spring mounted at the horizontal axis of the lamp to swing the lamp in one direction on this axis, a flexible connector extending from the lamp to the horizontally movable rod whereb proper longitudinal movement of the rot; may swing the lamp in the opposite direction, said flexible connector belng adjustable so that the initialposition of the lamp or each lamp of 'a pair may be predetermined.

It also consists in providing locking mechanism for the slidable rod so that the -lam may be fixed at any desired vertical ange and in providing locking means for 65 the drum so that the lamp may be held from, turning on its vertical axis.

dirigible headtheir vertical axes.

It also consists in the details of constructlon lllustrated in the accompanying drawmg and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s a side elevation of my improved headlight mounting and its operating mechamsrn, and of an automobile radiator on WhlCh the lamp is mounted, the hood and dash-board of the vehicle being in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan on a larger scale of the drum and parts connected thereto for turning the lamps on Fig. 4 1s a view of a guide wheel. Fig. 4 is a detail of a con-- nector. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Flg. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig; 5. Fig, 7 is a front elevation of a pair of lamps and their mountings. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 7 on a larger scale. Fig. 9 is a section on the l1ne.9-9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a sectlon on the line 10-10 of F 1g. 9. Fig. 11 1s a vertical section of the mounting for the operating rod. Fig. 12 is a section on the line 1212 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the connections between the various parts.

Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views. Each of the brackets for the lamps shown in the drawings comprises a casting 1 provided with flanges 2 whereby it may be secured to the radiator 3, shown conven tionally in the drawin The upper part 4 of this bracket is. cyli ndrical and within it is a hollow shaft 5 which endsin an arm 6 which carries a pivot 7 on which the lamp 8 is mounted. A in 9 within the lamp body supports a sprlng 10 which is so posltioned and tensioned as to swing the lamp upward when permitted, movement under stress of the spring being determined by the flexible connector 11, preferabl a light wire cable, which extends down mm the lamp through its vertical shaft 5, then around a wheel 12 and diagonally into the space under the hood A ofthe vehicle.

The hollow shaft 5 has a wheel 13 connected to its lower end and a circular shoulder 14 is at its upper end. The bracket 1 has internal flanges 15, between which and the wheel 13 and the shoulder 14 respectively ble connector 18, preferably a wire cable, extends around this wheel 13 as shown in Fig. 8, and when two lamps are used, one lead of this cable will extend across between the wheels 13 of the lamps, preferably through a tube 19. If desired, a spring 20 may be employed to connect the ends of this cable.

In Fig. 7 I have shown two short tubes 19 extending toward each other from the brackets 1 and a larger tube 22 rotatably mounted thereon and provided with an opening 23 through which the ends of the cable 18 and the spring 20 may be reached.

Secured to the back of the radiator 3 near the top and preferably at one side of the middle is a frame consisting of the transverse members 24, 25 and 26, the side bars 27 and the guide bars 28. The transverse members 24 and 25 are formed with bearings 29 and 30 for the shaft 32 of the drum 33, secured to this shaft by a screw 34 in the hub 35 of the drum. The flexible connector 18 is wound around this drum and is guided by any necessary number of idlers 36, preferably supported in self adjusting mountings 37 such as shown in Fig. 3. Any rotation in either dlreetlon of the lamps on their vertical axes may be effected by turning this drum and as the cable 18 is endless, the angle of rotation is unlimited except for the electric conductors (not shown).

A latch 38 is mounted on a side bar 27 and may be swung into a notch 39 in the rim of the drum 33. When this occurs a small pm 40 (Fig. 6) mounted in the transverse bar 25 enters the notch 41 under pressure of the spring 42. If the lamps should get out of alinement, it is mereley necessary to lock the drum 33 by means of the latch 38 and then turn each lamp to the desired position to cast its rays to a point on the roadway say two hundred feet ahead of the vehicle. As the engagement of the cable '18 and the wheels 13 and drum 33 is frictional, this adjustment is feasible upon the application of a small amount of force. The latch is then swung back but the spring pressed pin 40 will hold the parts in the ad usted position until considerable turning force is applied to the drum and will thereafter tend to hold the lamps in alinement whenever they are swung to central position. Each time the notch 41 passes the pin 40, a click will be heard thus also indicating that the lamps are in central position.

The drum shaft 32 is formed with a central longitudinal hole to receive the squared bar 44 which is secured to the operating rod 45 by means of a screw 46. This rod has a handle 47 on its rear end whereby the rod may be turned and moved longitudinally. The squared bar 44 slides longitudinally in the drum shaft 32 but always remains in ensprings 10 tending to swing up the amps and move the cross bar 49 forward when t rod 54 is moved forward. These pins are kept from turning by the screws 52 which extend across the slit 53 in the ends 54 of the cross bar and cause these ends to grip the pins 50. 'When the screws 52 are slacked up, the pins 50'may be turned to accurately adjust the lamps on their horizontal axes relative to each other. Rearward movement of this operating rod 45 therefore swings down the lamps against the tension of the springs 9, but'the lamps may be adjusted so that their rays will be projected at widely varying vertical angles, if desired.

The rod 45 preferably extends through the dash board 58 and the instrument board 59. The opening 60 in the dash board may be quite large and after the rod 45 is positioned a perforated cap 62 may be secured over this opening. A plate 63 is shown secured to the instrument board and carries a tube 64 having a head 65 at its forward end. A bar 66 extends forward from this plate into the path of the arm 67 on the operating rod 45 to prevent the rod being turned more than one-half rotation in either direction. This prevents the lamps being turned continuously in one direction a sufficient distance to twist off the electric wires (not shown).

The head 65 supports a clutch plate 69 by means of the screws 68, and this plate has a hole 69 slightly inclined upwardly rearwardly through which the rod 45 is slidable freely toward the rear, that is, against the tension ofthe springs 10 in the lamps. A spring 7 0 tends to cause this clutch plate to grip the rod 45, but a forward movement of the bottom of the clutch plate will cause the clutch plate to release the rod. A stem 72 has a knob 73 whose threaded hub screws into the threaded hole 74 in the plate 63.

When the rod 45 is pulled back to swing down the lamps toward the roadway for city driving, the clutch plate will hold this rod driving, therefore, the stem 72 will'be withdrawn as the lamps will be kept at a constant angle to the orizontal, but this clutch plate 69 'does not prevent the rod 45 from being turned freely in either direction to swing the lamps on their vertical axes.

The details of construction and the roportions of the parts may all be change by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the following claims. a

I claim 1. In combination, a lamp and a mounting therefor comprising a vertical and a horizontal axis and a support for the vertical axis, a wheel secured to the lower end of the vertical axis, a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith and through which the rod is slidable, a continuous flexible connector wound on the drum and extending around the wheel on the vertical axis of the lamp whereby the lamp may be rotated on its vertical axis through unlimited arcs, and means connecting the slidable rod to the lamp whereby the lamp may be tilted on its horlzontal axis when the rod is moved longitudinally.

2. A'universal installation for motor vehicles comprising a pair of lamps each adapted to turn on horizontal and vertical axes, a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum rotatable with the rod and through which the rod is slidable a air of flexible connectors wound on the rum, a second pair of flexible connectors attached to said rod and movable endwise thereby, means connecting one of the pairs of connectors to the lamps whereby the lamps may be turned on their vertical axes, and means for connecting the other pair of connectors to the lamps whereby the lamps may be caused to turn on their horizontal axes.

3. A universal installation for motor vehicles comprising a pair of lamps and supports therefor, said lamps being pivotally mounted on horizontal axes, vertical rotatable supports for said lamps, springs mounted on the horizontal and vertical axes be turned on their vertical axes, the other' air of connectors being attached to the amps to swing ,them on their horizontal axes against the force of the springs thereon.

4. A universal installation for motor vehicles comprising a pair of lamps and supports therefor, said lamps being pivotally mounted on horizontal axes, vertical rotatable su ports for said lamps, springs mounted on t e horizontal and vertical axes of the lamps to hold them in normal position, a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum rotatable with said rod and throu h which the rod is slidable, a pair of tfiaxible connectors wound on said drum and connected to said vertical supports for the lamps whereby the lamps may be turned on their vertical axes, and another pair of flexible connectors attached to said rod and movable endwise thereby, said second pair of connectors-being attached to the lamps to swing them on their horizontal axes against the force of the springs thereon.

5. In combination, a plurality of lamps and a mounting for each lamp comprising a vertical and a horizontal axis and a support for the vertical axis, wheels secured to the lower ends of said vertical axes, a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith and through which the rod is slidable, a continuous flexible connector wound on the drum and around the wheels on the vertical axes of the lamps whereby the lamps may be rotated on their vertical axes through unlimited arcs, and means connecting the slidable rod to the lamps whereby the lamps may be tilted on their horizontal axes when the rod is moved longitudinally.

6. In combination, a plurality of lamps and a mounting for each lamp comprising a vertical and a horizontal axis and a support for the vertical axis, wheels secured to the lower side of said vertical axes, a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith and through which the rod is slidable, a continuous flexible connector wound on the drum and around the wheels on the vertical axes of the lamps whereby the lamps may be rotated on their vertical axes through unlimited arcs, said connector embodying a section of coil spring which provides for a constant grip of the connector on said wheels and drum, and means connecting the slidable rod to the lamps whereby the lamps may be tilted on their horizontal axes when the rod is moved longitudinally.

7. In combination, a lamp and a mounting therefor comprising a vertical and a horizontal axis and a support for the vertical axis, a wheel secured to the lower end of the vertical axis, a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith and through which the rod is the lamp may be tilted on its horizontal axis when the rod is moved longitudinally, and means for locking the drum from turning.

8. In combination, a lamp and a mounting therefor comprising a vertical and a horizontal axis and a support for the vertical axis,-a wheel secured to the lower end of the vertical axis, a slidable and rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith and through which the rod is slidable, a continuous flexible connector wound on the drum and extending around the wheel on the vertical axis of the lamp whereby the lamp may be rotated on its vertical axis through unlimited arcs, means connecting the slidable rod to the lamp whereby the lamp may be tilted on its horizontal axis when the rod is moved longitudinally, a frame in which said drum is rotatably mounted, and a spring pressed pin mounted in said frame and adapted to enter a notch in said drum to hold the drum and thelamps in predetermined position.

9. In combination, a plurality of lamps adapted to swing on horizontal axes, a longitudinally slidable rod, a spring for each lamp to swing it in one direction on its horizontal axis, a flexible connector leading from each lamp to said rod whereby it may be swung in the opposite direction, means for adjusting the operative length of each connector independently to control the initial position of the lamp, means to prevent the rod moving toward the lamps, and means to release the rod.

10. In combination, a plurality of lamps adapted to swing on horizontal axes, a longitudinally slidable rod, aspring for each lamp to swing it in one direction on its horizontal axis, a flexible connector leading from each lamp to said rod whereby it may be swung in the opposite direction, means for adjusting the o erative length of each connector independently to, control the initial position of the lamp, means to prevent the rod moving toward the lamps, means to release the rod, and a spring on the rod to move it toward the lamps.

11. In combination, a lamp and a mounting therefor comprising a vertical axis and a support for the vertical axis, a wheel secured to the lower end of the verticalaxis, a rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith, a continuous flexible connector wound on the drum and extending around the wheel on the vertical axis of the lamp whereby the lamp may be rotated on its vertical axis through unlimited arcs, and means for locking the drum from turning.

12. In combination, a lamp and a mounting therefor comprising a vertical axis and a support for the vertlcal axis, a wheel secured to the lower end of the vertical axis, a rotatable rod, a drum mounted on the rod and rotatable therewith, a continuous flexible connector wound on the drum and extending around the wheel on the vertical axis of the lamp whereby the lamp may be rotated on its vertical axis through unlimited arcs, a frame in which said drum is rotatably mounted, and a spring pressed pin mounted in said frame and adapted to enter a notch in said drum to hold the drum and the lamp in predetermined position.

KARL A. KENDRICK. 

